‘Anything can happen’ says expert who fears volcanic eruption in Tenerife | World | News

Experts are fearing that a volcanic eruption in Tenerife could be imminent following a surge in seismic activity and gas emissions.

Conversations about whether the landmark of Mount Teide could erupt are mounting.

Monitoring networks have detected gradual yet persistent geophysical changes beneath Teide since 2016, with a notable increase in activity since 2022.

“There is no doubt that there has been anomalous seismic activity and an increase in gas emissions in the area since 2016 in Tenerife”, explains Luca D’Auria, director of the Volcanic Surveillance Area of ​​the Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands (INVOLCAN) in a statement to El Confidencial.

“The probability of an eruption this year would be about 2%, in the next 5 years, 40%, and in 100 years, it would exceed 90%. But this is speculation, anything can happen”, says Luca.

The expert explained that earthquakes measuring four on the Richter scale indicate a immediate danger. Teide is currently measuring between one and two.

Luca says experts are keeping a “close eye on how it develops”.

However, he added: “there is no reason to be alarmed, nothing indicates that there will be an eruption in the short term”.

Mount Teide last erupted in 1909 and although there is no immediate risk of an eruption at Mount Teide there is an increased likelihood of volcanic activity in the future.

In wake of the debates surrounding Teide The Canary Islands Government has called for “calm” amid rising concerns among local residents.

Territorial minister Manuel Miranda said on Tuesday that INVOLCAN and the National Geographic Institute (IGN) will be “constantly monitoring” the seismic and volcanic activity on the Canary Islands.

He added that the government is working on a new risk management and public awareness campaign, and that scientists “do not see signs of an eruption in the next few weeks or months”, but did acknowledge that Teide is “a territory that, we cannot forget and has a volcanic origin”.

Authorities in a town in Tenerife have announced an “emergency drill” to prepare locals for when and if Mount Teide erupts.

Residents in Garachico are being asked to take part in a week-long drill in September to prepare them for the volcano’s potential eruption.